The $89 Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is the latest smart display with Google Assistant and a clever trick. With optional accessories, the clock doubles as a nightlight and wireless phone charger.

While it cannot be used for video calls like the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd generation) or track sleep like the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation), the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is an intelligent alternative without cameras or body monitoring sensors It is an intelligent alternative without cameras or body monitoring sensors.

Like the first cloth Lenovo Smart Clock, one of the best Google Home speakers for bedside use, this compact device can do many things at once. It is a speaker for listening to music and podcasts, a screen for viewing photos, and of course an alarm clock.

An alarm clock does not have to be sophisticated. What else does it need to do other than check the time and let you know when it's time to get up? However, Lenovo has done an excellent job of taking the approach of upgrading the venerable alarm clock. They made the alarm clock smarter without overcomplicating it.

But the $49 Lenovo Smart Clock Essential without a display, introduced last year, may have been a bit too simple. That's why we have high hopes for the Smart Clock 2's 4-inch color touchscreen.

There are plenty of smart displays that take up less space and have more "smart" features. But none have built-in nightlights, wireless smartphone charging pads, or dedicated accessories that save even more space.

The Lenovo Smart Clock 2 starts at $89.99 and will be available in September 2021.